Many times, when we think about the significance of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, we fail to see its true value. Understanding what Jesus did for the world through His sacrifice truly changes the way you see God’s love for you.
Recently, some members of our church were traveling to Turku for a seminar. Before the trip, the driver had borrowed his father’s car. He had no idea that on the way to Turku they would be involved in an accident and that the car would be the key to their survival. About 100 kilometers from their destination, they collided with a deer, which died instantly. The car’s frame was strong, and none of the passengers were injured.
We rejoiced that the Lord had used that car to save them. But as I continued thinking about the accident, I realized that none of us had even bothered to ask what had happened to the deer. My question is this: do we even stop to consider the slain Lamb of God?
What Jesus accomplished on the cross must take on a completely new meaning in our lives. Yes, God used the cross, but it was the Lamb who bled and died to take away the sins of the world.
I want to present it from this perspective: Jesus literally saved this world from complete destruction on that day.
For while we were still weak, Christ died at the right time for the ungodly.
Romans 5:6
Imagine that you are in a prison filled with time bombs set to explode at a specific moment. Just before the bombs detonate, a soldier enters, sets you free, and leads you to safety. Very little is known about what took place in the spiritual realm while Jesus hung on the cross that day. As we read the Scriptures with the help of the Holy Spirit, we begin to understand that if Jesus had not been on that cross that day, we would all have perished. John the Baptist knew that the end was near. In his preaching, he continually warned people about it.
Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 3:10
We see John preaching to the people just as Noah preached to his generation about the coming judgment upon the world, warning them to repent and turn back to God.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”
Matthew 3:7
John the Baptist also reminds me of another prophet in the Bible whose name was Jonah. God sent Jonah to the city of Nineveh to preach and warn the people of the sudden destruction that would come upon the city in forty days. When the forty days had passed, Jonah waited to see the Judge come against the city, but nothing happened.
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish in the first place. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and One who relents from sending disaster. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”
Jonah 4:1–3
Just like Jonah, John the Baptist believed that a great destruction was about to come upon the world. When he was imprisoned, he expected to see the fulfillment of what he had preached. As time passed, he sent his disciples to Jesus to seek an explanation.
The men came to Jesus and said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask You, ‘Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'”
Luke 7:20
Understanding God’s Word helps us remain steadfast in our faith. If we do not understand, we may become disappointed, just as John and Jonah did.
Now that we know the world was not destroyed and God’s judgment has not yet come, the question is: what really happened on that day? In my next post, I will continue exploring the work of Jesus on the cross. As we build our faith by understanding the mysteries hidden in Scripture, our eyes are opened to see the greater plan that God has for us in Christ. Trusting Him in these dark times is the key you need.